Here is this week’s news of grants to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

The United Negro College Fund, which represents 37 historically Black colleges and universities, received a $500,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation that will be used to provide grants and technical assistance to member institutions relating to accreditation procedures. The grant will also support a professional development conference for executives of member institutions involved with enrollment management.

Tuskegee University in Alabama received a grant from the UNCF/Mellon program funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support the Legacy Museum Teaching Learning Institute on campus. The institute, being held this month, involves representatives from 18 HBCUs that operate museums and art galleries, who will discuss ways to link the educational institutions’ collections electronically through online applications. The project is the brainchild of Jontyle Robinson, the curator of the Legacy Museum at Tuskegee University. Dr. Robinson holds a master’s degree in art history from the University of Georgia and was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in art history from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Howard University in Washington, D.C., is this year’s top winner in the Retool Your School contest sponsored by Home Depot. The historically Black university will receive a $50,000 grant that will be used to remove old or nonfunctioning drinking fountains and replace them with bottle-filling stations throughout campus.

Historically Black Jackson State University in Mississippi received a $70,000 grant from Lockheed Martin Inc. that will fund scholarships for students in computer engineering and industrial systems and technology programs. Part of the grant will fund a STEM Prep Academy for middle school students.

The University of California, Riverside received a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education for program to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The funds will be used for outreach and recruiting programs as well as for programs to increase retention for students from underrepresented groups.

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Which statement best reflects your view regarding protests by African American professional athletes during the playing of the national anthem?

I believe the protests are useful in drawing attention to continuing racial inequality.

I do not support the protests but believe strongly that these athletes have the right to do so.

These athletes have become very successful and should show respect to their country.